Amazingly, the rain droplets,

the flower's internal climate,

and the hummingbird family's

interactions create a miniature ecosystem,

which is just like the larger,

more vulnerable environments we see around us.

Avian Architects of Ecosystems

We usually think of seed dispersal as being about fruit or nectar, but hummingbirds, with their presence in the tulip, are actually building the environment around them.

So, the tulip is not just a pretty flower, but a really important "fortress" of safety.

Floral Fidelity in a Changing Climate

The mother hummingbird's decision to nest within the tulip is an active, collaborative act of ecosystem creation.The hummingbird nurtures its young in the tulip, whilst the tulip provides the perfect spot.